claw
noun
a sharp, usually curved, nail on the foot of an animal, as on a cat, dog, or bird.
had clawed
-
past perfectof claw.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Even late in the first half, when Alabama had clawed back to 17-10, the Sooners had the ball with a chance to tack on points before the whistle.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 21, 2025
And yet, in the final minute of four added on, Alphonso Davies scrambled home from close range after Kasper Schmeichel had clawed away Leon Goretzka's header to send the German side through.
From BBC ● Feb. 18, 2025
The cat had clawed the man on the shoulder a month before his symptoms began, close to the site where his first lesion was found.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 13, 2024
The Cavaliers all but sealed the outcome with a 15-5 burst in the second half after Virginia Tech had clawed within 59-55 with 9:20 remaining in front of an announced crowd of 14,629.
From Washington Post ● Jan. 18, 2023
The bear had clawed the bark at least two days before.
From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver
